Lissa rolled her head to the side slowly as she held her paint brush in her right hand, trying to ease the kinks in her neck. There was a neat stack of paintings resting against the wall of her studio room next to her, and she was finishing up one more for her showing in two weeks. Lissa smiled and looked around the room filled with sunshine from the two large windows, and bit her lip.

She had been living with Ethan for eight months now, and she was just as happy as the day that she had moved in. Lissa had left the agency just after the move, and reduced her night s at the club to focus on painting at his less than gentle prodding. She had argued lightly with him about cutting back her hours, loving the job and the friends there, but she knew that he was right. Their light bickering would end as soon as one kissed the other to shut them up, and they would end up in their bed making love for hours. Lissa smiled at the thought and set her brush down to clip her newly trimmed shouklder length hair up and take a drink from her bottle of water. "Okay…work with me fuschia," Lissa murmured softly to herself, dipping the brush into her paint.

Her colours were bright and vibrant these days, and that didn't go unnoticed by anybody close to her. Alexa was thrilled with Lissa's progress, and Ethan gave her all the space that she needed to paint aside from the time that they spent alone together. She felt at peace and in love, and that was something that she embraced every day. She was all too aware that she could have lost Ethan in the shuffle that had been her crazy life before, and she was glad that she had run into her former fiancé and gotten the closure that she needed. It had been painful at the moment, but she knew that it had made her see what she wanted.

Lissa was singing along to the song playing on her computer softly when she felt hands slide up her hips and sides slowly, and she smiled. "Hey, baby."

"This looks great." Ethan murmured to her, finding his way under the oversized button up shirt that she wore while she painted the one that had disappeared from his closet after she moved in. She told him that it reminded her of him and his eyes, and he had forgiven her immediately. "I love that you're making the sunset so bright, Lissa."

"They are beautiful." Lissa assured him, thinking of the few they would see when they headed to the Hamptons after she had her showing. Nikki's aunt had a beach front home that the couple would be sharing with their best friends for a week, and then alone for another week. "I can't wait to see them with you."

"I agree," Ethan said, and stroked her just underneath her breasts that here only contained by a thin tank top. She shivered and he leaned down to nibble on her neck as she let out a happy sigh. "I brought some lunch for us." His words were just a whisper as he moved back to her skin, thumbing her breasts firmly as she whimpered.

"Yeah?" Lissa whispered back, arching her body as she rested her head on his shoulder. She turned around to face him, capturing his lips with hers as she hurriedly unbuttoned her shirt. Ethan slid it off as his tongue slipped into her mouth, and she slid her arms around his neck to pull him closer. She didn't need him to tell her to wrap her legs around him so that they could move to the bed, and they moved together with a combined low moan. Ethan dropped her onto the bed, slipping off the cotton shorts that she wore before parting her legs to kiss her calf gently as she smiled at him. "What has you all worked up, baby?"

"Just thinking about the trip and the time we will have together." Ethan told her before nibbling up to her knee. They had both been busy, and she leaned her head back and smiled.

"I love you," Lissa murmured, and slid her hands into his thick hair to pull his face between her legs. He spread her legs further to tease her as she begged him to stop, and she came as he finally slipped his tongue deeper inside of her. She was recovering as he slipped his clothes off and moved over her, and their eyes met for a long moment. He leaned down to kiss her, and she smiled at the taste of her own juices on his lips. "Mmmm."

"Yes, you taste amazing," Ethan agreed against her lips, and she giggled. He moved to enter her with one slow thrust, and she moaned as her sensitive body welcomed him. "You feel amazing, Lissa. I love you."

"Please, Ethan. I want you," Lissa begged him again, and he started to move harder and deeper as she met his every thrust. Their cries filled their room as they both grew close, and he released inside of her just as she moaned his name, scraping his back with her nails as she closed her eyes. "Oh, god. I could never get sick of that."

"Are you sure?" Ethan teased her, and she laughed again through a deep breath.

"I am very sure." Lissa promised him, and pulled his lips to her for a kiss. "Are you?"

"More than you know, love," Ethan told her, a thoughtful look in his eyes. She stared at him as he went silent, and stroked his hair. "Want to eat something?"

"Ummm, sure. Are you okay, Eth?" Lissa asked, watching him reluctantly separate their bodies with a silent sigh.

"Yeah. It was busy at the station today." Ethan told her, and she groaned as she pushed herself up.

"Damn it. Jimmy's birthday and I got stuck painting." Lissa complained, and he pulled her off of the bed with his hands.

"He gets it. He's happy that you're doing it." Ethan told her, and kissed her gently. "Besides, we are taking him to dinner this weekend."

"Yeah, that's true and he'll break his silly diet to go to that meat place." Lissa muttered, slipping her arms around his neck again. "All you can eat! I am going to die."

"We'll be fine." Ethan told her as she walked away to slip on the robe that hung in their bathroom with a smile, really not meaning a word of her griping. Her and Jimmy were as close as ever, and he was happy that she was working less despite not seeing her as much. It had been sad for her to move her supplies to her new apartment for both of them, and she had wiped away a tear as she loaded up Ethan's car. Lissa had been painting at Jimmy's for a few years and had grown to love the time there, but her new life was a good one as well. "I know that you miss the guys."

"Hence the reason I should have remembered this morning," Lissa grumbled, still smiling a little.

"You are forgiven by each and every one of them," Ethan told her again, and she giggled as she watched him slide on some sweats with an intent gaze. She led the way to the kitchen where she saw sandwiches from her favourite deli on the counter with coffees next to the bag.

"Oooo," Lissa cooed, her mouth watering at the idea of her beloved pastrami sandwich. "I love you, Ethan."

"I love you too, baby. You do know it is just a sandwich right?"

"It's the best though." Lissa said, taking the food to the table by the window to eat. "Come on."

They ate slowly as they talked about the showing and the vacation, and Lissa could not stop smiling. She was looking so forward to both, and she looked at the content smile on his face as she finished babbling. "What?"

"I remember the girl I first met, and now you're this woman that is larger than life. I have enjoyed watching you grow." Ethan told her, and she felt her face flush a little as she slowly sipped her coffee.

"I'm really not. It is a small showing in a small gallery." Lissa argued softly, and he raised his eyebrow.

"We met at that gallery, love. I am going to make sure that you get the best showing that you can." It was true. He was planning an extensive menu and had other friends helping out, and she grinned at him. She had been so happy when he told her that he had hooked her up with that location, since she often thought back to their original meeting there. "I am just glad that you'll be doing the showing as my…girlfriend."

"Yeah. Your girlfriend as opposed to what?" Lissa asked, and he sipped his coffee.

"Not my girlfriend," Ethan said quietly, and she frowned.

"I've been here eight months, baby. I am not going anywhere." Lissa assured him, and he nodded.

"I guess that I still wonder if you're going to bolt on me sometimes." Ethan admitted, and she bit her lip as she stared at his deepening eyes.

"Ethan…no. I am so happy here." Lissa told him, and he smiled at her. "How often do you think that?"

"Less and less as time goes on." Ethan told her, and she nodded. "I see how happy you are now."

"Exactly," Lissa said with a smile, and he smiled back at her.

The following weekend, she took a break from finishing the painting and went to the restaurant early to set up for Jimmy's birthday. She had bought him a chocolate cake from his favourite bakery and she set up some balloons in the center with a smile. They looked like they were for a little boy, and she heard a chuckle behind her as arms slid around her waist. "Good choice, baby."

"Hey, Eth. He is the world's sweetest boy." Lissa said with a giggle, and Ethan shook his head before kissing her neck.

"Yeah. Sure he is." Ethan halfheartedly agreed, and she smiled. "Are you sure you never hooked up with him?

"Very, baby. The comics are all man whores," Lissa explained, and turned to face him as she captured his lips in a kiss. "Mmmmm. I think I am pretty satisfied with you."

They both heard the loud group of people enter the building, and then the groans of their friends. "Jesus, Lissa. Is this for a five year old?" Bobby teased her, and she swatted at his arm.

"Shush. It's his birthday!"Lissa told him, and then hugged him along with the other six guys with him. Jimmy's hug was the longest and she grinned as she pulled away. "Happy birthday!"

"Thanks, Lis." Jimmy told her, a warm look in his eyes. "This is great."

"Yeah? Good." Lissa told him, and looked around as everyone started taking their seats. The group started their dinner, and Lissa was long done before the guys who just kept eating. She barely had room for her tiny piece of cake, but she grinned at Jimmy as he enjoyed his bigger one. Lissa was not working out as much as she had during her brief stint at modeling, so she tried very hard to watch what she ate, even though Ethan tempted her often with dinners out. He opened some cards and gifts as well, and then thanked Lissa as she blushed and glanced down.

They ended the night with more hugs and then Lissa took Ethan's hand and let him lead her to the car. "Good job, honey," Ethan told her and she grinned.

"Yeah. They all had a great time," Lissa said, feeling sad that she didn't see them all as much. She felt her eyes tear up a little as the thought of her lost friend and glanced up at Ethan as she remembered their kiss after his funeral.

"You miss Patrick?" Ethan asked as he unlocked his door and glanced at her.

"I really do. He should have been here," Lissa said, and shrugged. She still saw his family as much as possible and felt good about that, but it wasn't the same. Ethan pulled her close for a tight hug, and she melted into his arms. "I love you, Ethan."

"I love you," He replied, stroking her back as she closed her eyes. They had agreed to stop by the girl's apartment on the way home for a drink, so they headed over after a long embrace and caught up around the couch. Alexa could not stop talking about the gallery, and Lissa shot Nikki a helpless glance as her girlfriend went on and on. Ethan smirked and took her hand and she looked at him with a slow smile.

"Baby, we have it all worked out." Nikki told Alexa, and slid an arm around her waist. They were doing wonderful and Lissa looked away from her boyfriend to glance at them with a smile. Nikki kissed Alexa's cheek gently and they stared at each other for a moment.

"Just stop, Lis. You two are just as sappy." Lissa grinned at her best friend's words and giggled, knowing that she was right.

A week later, Lissa stood in front of her mirror nervously, staring wide eyed at the bright pink dress that she wore. It skimmed her lower thighs and the bodice plunged just enough with a tie around the neck that buttoned neatly underneath her hair. She stared down at the black heels and fussed with the bit of black lace the peeked from under the dress. "Lis?" Alexa called her name as she entered the apartment, and Lissa jumped nervously.

"Yeah. I'm back here."Lissa told her, and glanced up as Alexa walked in with a very expensive bottle of champagne. "Lex…"

"We are going to toast to tonight with this and then you will finish it later with your love and fuck his brains out for everything that he did for you," Alexa assured her, and set the bottle down to go to the kitchen for glasses. Lissa fussed with her straightened hair and dress until she came back, and watched as Alexa popped it open skillfully with a happy laugh.

"Someone knows their champagne." Lissa noted, and Alexa smiled warmly as she seemed to get lost in thought.

"We celebrated with this kind the night I told her that I would move in," Alexa admitted, and Lissa smiled as she blushed. "I had never wanted to do that before, Lis. It was so exciting and so scary all at once. I guess you know how that feels though."

"Well, yes I do with Ethan. I realize now that I never knew it with Kevin." Lissa told her, and Alexa smiled at her. "I am really in love this time."

"I know, babe." Alexa assured her, and poured the champagne. She handed Lissa one as she leaned in to kiss her on the cheek, and smiled. "I am so fucking proud of you, sweetie. You won. You're starting your dream tonight."

A tear slid down Lissa's face and she looked at her best friend. "I owe you so much."

"You did this on your own," Alexa argued lightly and held up her glass. "To you, the soon to be greatest artist this city has ever seen." Lissa laughed as she tapped her glass against Alexa's and they took a long sip.

Lissa was feeling relaxed as they left to catch a cab, and she took Alexa's hand as they waited for a cab. "I can't believe I have a showing."

"I can. You painted well in Kindergarten," Alexa giggled, and they smiled at each other. They watched as a cab pulled up and Lissa admired Alexa in her red dress with the pretty long layers in her light daze before she climbed in.

The gallery was lit with dimmed lights and spotlights on the art as they pulled up, and Lissa looked through the glass with a gasp. Candles were placed around and there were a few people gathered inside. "They did this event to the hilt." Alexa promised her, and Lissa raised her hand to her bright pink lips as tears filled her eyes. "He is over the moon over this, Lis."

"Oh, god. What if I fail tonight?" Lissa whispered and Alexa slid an arm around her waist.

"Never." Alexa murmured to her, and Lissa smiled as Ethan stepped outside. He slipped his arms around her waist and looked into her eyes, rolling his own in Alexa's direction.

"Hey, love. Did she get you drunk?" Ethan asked gently, and Lissa smiled.

"We had a toast at the apartment. Big deal. You get the rest later." Alexa grumbled cheerfully, and he shook his head as he lowered his head to kiss Lissa softly.

"You look so beautiful, angel." Ethan told her, and she cupped his face with her hands. "I love you. Now let's get in there and start this thing."

"Yes, sir," Lissa said, her mind fuzzy as she kissed him again. She started to press into him but he pushed her away lightly.

"Baby, later. I promise you that, but it's your time to shine."

Lissa let him take her hand after her surreptitiously wiped his mouth as she replaced her lipstick with a sigh. The bar in the corner was perfect and the food spread out on a large table across from it was plentiful and amazing. Lissa looked around in awe at everything and her heart skipped a beat at seeing her work hung on the walls around the room. She wandered as Ethan took care of the food and looked around quietly before it filled up too much.

Lissa found herself in the spot where she met Ethan, and she closed her eyes and recalled the moment slowly with a smile. He had made her body react far more strongly than it ever had before, and she took a slow breath through her nose thinking about it. She sometimes could not believe that he was really hers. LIssa heard voices and turned to see a crowd coming through the doors, and she took a deep breath and stepped forward to greet them.

Jimmy and all of the comics stopped by before and after their sets, and their pride was evident. Jimmy hugged her tightly and she thanked him for all of the help over the years. He had helped Ethan transport the paintings for a few days as well as many other things. She was happy to see Ian drop in with the band as well as Moira and Ryan, holding tightly to his new girlfriend's hand. She led them to the bar after greeting them, and he slipped an arm around her waist and kissed her head.

"You never told me about this passion, Lissa," Ian told her and she shrugged and looked up at him.

"I never told you a lot of things," Lissa reminded him, and he nodded. His girlfriend was in the corner with Moira and Lissa smiled at him. "You look happy."

"I am happy. Teali is really great." Ian told her, and she smiled wider. "Are you happy?"

"I really am, Ian." Lissa told him, and he nodded slowly. They had become great friends along the way, and even Ethan and Ian got on well.

"Good, because you're talent is so obvious. You're going to be something great." Ian assured her, and she laughed.

Lissa sold several pieces that night and made several contacts and sipped some water at the end of the night as the last of her friends said goodnight. Ethan finished clearing up the table and came over to her to hug her tightly. "You were amazing."

"Thank you, Eth. You did so much for me tonight." Lissa told him, really feeling the wine that she had enjoyed that night. She teared up as she clung to him and he stroked her back.

"You did the work for this and painted all of this. Not me." Ethan assured her as she sniffled. "Let's get out of here. Jimmy and I are getting the paintings tomorrow anyway."

Nikki and Alexa had left after long hugs an hour earlier and Lissa looked around, memorizing the moment. It had been a crazy and wonderful night for her, and she let him take her hand and lead her to the car quietly. He unlocked her door and she looked up at him slowly as he kissed her deeply, pressing her into the car. "I have never been so turned on by you as I was tonight." Ethan confessed between kisses and she moaned against him. "Let's go home."

They sipped the champagne in bed naked after a heated lovemaking session and she gazed at him. He dipped his finger into the glass and rubbed it over her raw nipple and she arched her back and shivered. Ethan sucked the liquid off as she whimpered and looked up at her. "I really cannot get enough of you, Lissa."

"I love you, Ethan." Lissa told him breathlessly, staring into his eyes in the dim light of the room. She sipped her champagne, enjoying the drunken bliss of her happiness as she felt his teeth dragging across her nipple once again. "Don't stop. Please don't ever stop."

She soon found herself on her knees, her mind blurry as he took her from behind. She moaned with each thrust of his hips, her sensitive body closing in around him as if all of her never wanted to let go. His hands caressed her hips firmly and she dropped her head to the pillow with a hoarse cry as she came again, breathing deeply. Ethan followed and dropped beside her and she looked at him before her eyes closed. "Sleep, my love. We're going to the beach in a couple of days."

The paintings were stored and delivered to buyers quickly by Lissa and her friends within a few days and soon she was packing her bags for their two week vacation. Ethan was beside her placing his folded shorts into his own suitcase and they smiled at each other. "Do you mind renting a house in Maine instead?" Ethan asked her, and she shook her head. Nikki had ended up having some family take over the house so they had all changed their plans.

"Of course not. It is still a beach and I am still going with you." Lissa told him and leaned over to kiss him. "It sounds less crowded and stuck up anyway."

"The food is good too," Ethan murmured, knowing that she loved seafood.

"Mmmmm," Lissa moaned against his lips and broke out into a laugh. She was happy. The art was selling and she was on the way to being a locally known artist. They had a fun vacation ahead of them with good friends in a gorgeous beach and she was madly in love with Ethan. Everything seemed perfect.

They left early the next morning after a heated quickie, driving alone since they were staying a week longer. Nikki had offered to handle the business for them so they could have some uninterrupted time alone after Lissa had worked so hard, and Ethan had let go of his constant need to work and agreed eagerly. He stopped for bagels and coffee and she munched on the toasted wheat with a thick layer of cream cheese as she watched the city pass them by. "What is it like in Maine?"

"It's nicer on the eyes. There are lots of cliffs and it is more picturesque to me." Ethan told her between bites of his onion bagel.

"It sounds nice," Lissa said and glanced at him. "I am not kissing you until you chew some gum you know."

"Just shush and eat your bagel," Ethan shot back with a smile and she leaned back into the seat. They arrived within a few hours and he parked behind Alexa's car as Lissa opened her eyes. "Hello, beautiful."

"Wow. Here I wanted to enjoy the drive." Lissa said grumpily and wiped her eyes. She looked at the house that was a pleasant mix of wood and glass windows and grinned widely. "It's amazing!"

"Let's check it out and pick out room." Ethan said, knowing that the girls probably had the best one of the three bedrooms already selected. Lissa jumped out of the car and he joined her as they walked up to the huge door with stained glass in various shades of blue and tested it to find it open. They walked in to see a sunken living room with a big fireplace and lots of room for the couches scattered around it. Ethan walked to the right to see a large kitchen all ready for him and Nikki to cook in and smiled widely as Lissa wandered to the back of the house.

"Oh my god! Look at this, Ethan!" Lissa called and he walked over to slip his arms around her waist and look out of the windows to see the beach down below. A redhead and a blonde were running around and the couple smiled together. "They look great."

"I agree," Ethan said and leaned down to kiss her neck. "I think that we do as well."

"Yeah, I think we're pretty close to being perfect." Lissa murmured, smiling as she leaned back against him.

They gathered their bags from the car and set them in the living room and walked down to the beach to take a look around. It was long and shared by a few houses and gorgeous with rocks and seemingly endless sand. "Guys!" Alexa ran down towards them, tackling Lissa in a hug as she laughed. "Isn't it beautiful?"

"This is way better than my place," Nikki said, following closely behind and hugging Ethan. There was a time that Lissa would have been insanely jealous, but now she just smiled as she held on to her best friend. They all hung out and explored before heading into the house to unpack and plan a grocery trip. Nikki and Ethan had a menu all planned out and needed to get food to cook it with, and Alexa wanted some alcohol for their nights.

They settled easily into relaxing days of wandering around the area and trying the many places to eat, and finding every beach that they could. Dinners were always almost at the house with some wine or something in a pitcher, and they watched movies a lot.

Lissa and Ethan's room was in the back of the house with a great view of the beach and they made love to the sound of the ocean every night. She loved resting against him after as they recovered listening to the waves, and part of Lissa never wanted to leave. "I wish that we could move somewhere like this." Lissa told him one night nearly a week into their vacation.

"Do you want to leave the city?" Ethan asked her, and she smiled as he stroked her hair.

"It's kind of where we make our living, so no. Maybe a timeshare? Get our own place to run away to?" Lissa suggested, kissing his chest as she pictured vague image of her dream vacation home.

"I think that we will have to look around for that, baby." Ethan agreed and she smiled as he started to harden against her stomach. "I love you."

"Yeah. Is that love poking at me?" Lissa teased him, well aware that he could go on forever at night.

"Sure it is. But I was this way the first time you ever touched me." Ethan informed her, and she blushed. "You looked so good that day, Lis. I loved that you were flustered and shy, but I wanted to get past that and know you."

"It just took a while, but you did." Lissa teased him, and rested her chin on his chest to look at him. "We went through a lot. Do you regret anything?"

"Sure, I regret the things that kept us apart and the timing we seemed to always have. But we're here now." Ethen assured her, and she smiled. She moved slowly up to kiss him, sliding her body in position as they both moaned. Ethan slid his hands over her hips and she moved with him until he was inside of her. "Fuck…you feel so good." He spoke slowly as she moved with him, biting her lip to hold back a moan. Everybody has respected the space there as far as noise, and she looked so forward to when they could really let go.

Lissa was whispering his name frantically a few moments later when he flipped her over and pinned her feet against his shoulders to take her even deeper. When she came she let out a small moan that he matched as he followed, and thrust deep inside as she whimpered. "I am screaming when this place is ours." Lissa murmured, watching as he dropped to her stomach and took a deep breath.

"You'd better." Ethan teased her, and they both grew silent to listen to the waves before falling asleep slowly.

The next day was the last full day and night of Nikki and Alexa being there, and Lissa looked around for them as she got up to make some coffee. The house was quiet and she assumed they were at the beach as the popped the container into the coffee pot. Ethan came out in shorts and a short, and she glanced at her cotton robe with a raised eyebrow. She had only managed to brush her teeth and pull her hair up. "Let's take a walk on the beach before breakfast. It's gorgeous out. "His tone was hinting to not taking no for an answer, and she giggled.

"It's always gorgeous out, but sure." Lissa agreed, staring at the liquid dripping into the cup for a second before going back to change. She pulled on yoga pants and a long sleeved shirt and fixed her hair a little better with a sigh. "A shower would be awesome, but it is just a walk."

Ethan was looking outside as she came out, and she smiled at the focus that was evident on his face. He blinked and looked over and she saw something warm pass through his eyes. He held out his hand and she took it, sipping the coffee quickly before setting it back on the table. "Thanks for getting it for me."

"I know how you are without it." Ethan teased her, looking lovingly at her. They headed down the steps to the beach and Lissa looked up to see Nikki chasing Alexa towards them. The girls were both laughing and Lisa chuckled as Ethan tightened the grip on her hand. They ran by, smiling at the couple and Lissa shook her head as she looked at the waves and took a deep breath of the air.

"I feel alive here."

"I feel alive with you," Ethan told her, and she looked up at him as he leaned in to kiss her. They continued to walk when he pulled away and she glanced around slowly to look, even though she had been down there so much already.

"Eth? What is that?" Lissa asked, pointing to the right to see something red scattered In front of a small cave they had explored the first day there. He let her lead him over there quietly and she realized that they were rose petals. "What's this?"

"Let's see." Ethan suggested in a shaky voice and her eyes widened. He led the way in and she struggled to breath. There were more petals inside of the cave, and a basket of roses set in the middle on a red and black picnic blanket. He walked in to stand on the blanket and paused as she stared at him. When he turned around, his face was damp with sweat and his eyes full of emotion. There was enough light from the entrance to see, but when she glanced around she saw that there were candles set around and she inhaled the vanilla scent slowly. Ethan took a breath and dropped to the ground as her mouth opened uselessly, and she simply stared as he slid his hands out to take her now sweaty ones. "Lissa…I love you. I have loved you from the moment that I saw you, and touched you and I need you baby. I need you to be mine forever because my life has never meant anything without you." Tears were sliding down her cheeks and he stroked her hand with one thumb gently. "We have come so far being together and I want so much more. Will you marry me, LIssa?"

She dropped to her knees in front of him and hugged him as he wrapped his arms around her, "Ethan…yes. I can't live without you." She started to cry with earnest, leaning against his shoulder as he whispered soothing words to her and stroked her hair. Lissa had not been this happy when Kevin had asked, and she knew that now. She knew that something had seemed off. She felt good about Ethan and their future and she slowly lifted her head to look into his eyes.

"You have made me so happy, Lissa." Ethan captured her lips with his and she pressed closer to him as she lost herself in the moment. They both moaned as the kiss deepened and she wrapped her arms tighter around his neck. She protested with a soft moan when she heard voices and he reluctantly pulled away to stare at her. "Later, love."

"Hello in there?" Alexa called out, and Lissa sighed slowly as she looked at her fiancée.

"Come in." Ethan said and the girls entered and stared at the couple with huge smiles. "I'd like you to meet my fiancee Lissa. Lissa, this is Nikki and Alexa."

Alexa jumped down and hugged her tightly as she screamed, and Nikki moved to hug Ethan. "Congratulations, sweetie." Alexa whispered into Lissa's ear and Lissa felt another tear slide down her cheek. The friends switched and Lissa hugged Nikki tightly as she sniffled softly.

The four headed back to the house and Ethan held Lissa's hand tightly. They debated on champagne at the house or a celebratory lunch over going out to dinner, and soon they were headed to the wharf to one of the nest seafood restaurants in the area. They ordered a bottle of champagne with their meals and toasted happily to the newly engaged couple as the people looked over with happy smiles. Alexa was not quiet about it at all, and Lissa blushed as she glanced into Ethan's eyes. They were beaming at her, and she leaned in to kiss him gently. "I love you." Lissa whispered and he chuckled against her lips.

"We'll be alone soon, baby." Ethan assured her and she smiled. They settled into their lunch and exchanged ideas about the wedding idly as Lissa let it sink in that she was going to be his wife. The four friends wandered the wharf afterwards and shopped and made it a movie night with margaritas at the house, since the girls were leaving early the next morning.

They said goodbye to their friends and watched them pull out of the driveway, and Ethan slipped his arms around Lissa's waist. "All alone, fiancée."

"Whatever are we going to do?" Lissa teased him, feeling her body tighten at the words. They had made love last night quietly, but now they were alone and she wanted more. She wanted to enjoy him.

Ethan moved and took her hand and pulled her into the house, closing the door firmly and locking it. Lissa looked into his face and was silenced by the intense look in his eyes. "Do you feel good about this, baby?"

"Yes, Ethan. This is right. Last time was anything but right." Lissa assured him, pushing him across the room and back onto the large couch. She kissed him hungrily and he gripped her body and pulled her against him tightly as their tongues tangled together eagerly. Their combined moans filled the room and he slipped his hands under her shirt to remove it as she pulled away with a growl.

"We do have to be naked, Lissa," Ethan reminded her, and she made quick work of standing enough to pull her shorts off. He removed his clothes and they kissed each other again, their hands roaming each other's skin as they focused on their lips.

Lissa fell back onto her couch as he pushed her away and watched as he hovered over her. "I love you so much, Ethan."

"I love you so much more." Ethan nipped at her neck, his hands sliding up her body to cup and thumb her breasts, teasing her nipple as she whimpered his name. His teeth dragged along her skin slowly, both teasing and torturing her, and she arched her back against his body. He moved down to replace his hands, sucking and biting slowly as she gripped his head.

His mouth ended between her thighs and she moaned as her body heated up rapidly, flooding his lips with moisture. "Oh, god. Ethan…" He teased her slowly and she was so close as he stopped, and she stared at him with stricken eyes. "What are you doing?"

He stood and moved to his back, meeting her gaze seductively. "I think you know."

Lissa crawled between his legs and took him into her mouth eagerly, swirling her tongue around and looking into his eyes as he stared down at her. His eyes were full of desire and love, and she moved down so he was hitting the back of her throat as he groaned. He gripped her hair as she moved slowly, and she let her eyes close as she memorized the feel of him in her mouth, and his taste as he approached his climax. She stopped as she felt him harden further and pulled away to stare up at him as he took a deep breath. "I want you." She moved over him as he gripped her hips and looked down as he entered her, biting her lip. "You're really going to be mine forever," Lissa whispered, feeling him fill her and knowing that she never wanted anyone else in her life. She drove her body down to meet his rising hips and they both moaned until they could not hold back, crying out each other's names in sweet relief as their bodies released at the same time. She felt tears slide down her cheeks as she took a deep breath, and she looked down at him, taking in his chiseled body slowly that she had loved so quickly. The times that she had walked away filled her mind, and she blinked as he eased her off of him and moved to hold her.

"It's okay." Ethan told her, and she wrapped her arms around him and breathed in his scent. Ethan's sweat even smelled good.

"I want to get married soon, baby." Lissa told him, and he smiled.

"So do I, Lis."

They were married six months later on the beach in back of their newly purchased small vacation home in Maine, surrounded by jagged rocks and smooth pale sand. They had chosen the early Fall for the ceremony, and she wore a cream dress that flowed around her bare feet that had a simple bodice and thin straps. Her hair was in loose curls and she let it blow in the slight wind as she walked down the makeshift aisle of soft sand. Ethan wore casual black pants and a button up shirt with a tie that matched his eyes at her request, and their eyes met and locked as she took her first step towards them.

Close family and friends surrounded them and Alexa and Nikki graced the spot where they were to become man and wife with Ethan. Their dresses were deep pink and hung gracefully to their knees with fitted bodices and straps around the neck. The girls looked beautiful and Lissa's eyes met Alexa's with a warm smile as she glanced at her best friend. She let her eyes drift back to her fiancé and she walked up to him, and he slipped his hands over hers, intertwining their fingers together. "I love you," Ethan whispered to her, and she smiled at him lovingly as she whispered it back.

The sweet and simple ceremony flew by for the couple, and Lissa was thankful for the video she knew that she would have to watch to remember it. Their vows were over in a rush of words, and all she could remember was the look of love in his eyes as his lips captured hers in a rush, claiming her as his wife as she slipped her arms around his neck. They pulled away only due to the cheers that filled their ears and shared a look that held a promise for later, and turned towards the crowd with big smiles. They made their way through and intimate reception inside of the house and collapsed into bed after the party, moving together in a long kiss as she resisted the moan the longed to escape her mouth. There was family there and they weren't headed to Europe for their two week honeymoon until the next morning. "Why the fuck did we not go to a hotel?" Ethan whispered to her as she slid her hand over his erection slowly.

"Because we're going to be alone for two weeks starting tomorrow, and then after that in our apartment. One night won't kill us with guests." LIssa reminded him, slipping down to take him into her mouth eagerly. He moaned softly as he pumped into her mouth, managing to get her to her knees before he came so he could have her that way. They both came with gasps and breaths, and moved together to stare into each other's eyes.

"Hello, wife." Ethan told her, seeing her eyes droop gently as he smiled at her.

"I love you, husband." Lissa smiled as he kissed her lips and pulled her close.

…

Lissa smiled as the door opened, seeing Ethan walk in with their three year old daughter Emma. The tiny brunette girl with the endless curls bounced over to Lissa and peered at the blanket wrapped baby as she tried to stand on her toes. "Mommy, is that brother?" Her little voice melted Lissa and she smiled into Ethan's eyes as he lifted Emma onto the bed.

"Yes, baby doll. This is Colton," Lissa told her, and Emma's blue eyes lit up as she looked into his tiny face. The couple urged her to be gentle and Lissa's eyes felt her eyes tear up as she watched Emma kiss his tiny cheek gently. She looked up at Ethan to see the same emotions in his eyes and smiled as he leaned in to kiss her gently.

The couple had waited a year before trying for Emma and then a little while before they decided to have another. Ethan's business had only flourished and Lissa was painting even more before she became pregnant. The first baby had thrilled them and Lissa had delighted in how much Ethan had loved their daughter from the start, and they had managed their busy lives with a new child with the help of Emma's loving aunties.

Lissa smiled as she thought back to their life since they met, and since they got married and had kids. The romance was still there a few years later, though it came out in forms of parenting and helping each other with less time for the fierce lovemaking they had always enjoyed. Life had changed for her a lot but she was happy as she looked at her handsome husband.

"Hey there," Alexa said softly as she entered the room with Nikki, beaming at the little family. Emma slid off of the bed to hug them both with a giggle, and Lissa shook her head as the girls hugged her and tickled her. They loved their niece and they would love their nephew, and Lissa could not miss the look that Nikki gave Alexa.

The girls were waiting for their own baby through means of sperm donors, and Nikki was the one that would be carrying it. They had waited awhile, and sadly the procedure was taking longer than expected. Nikki smiled down at Emma before looking up at Lissa and meeting her eyes. "Let's see him." Nikki stepped forward and cooed at the infant, hugging Ethan with one arm as she congratulated him softly. He thanked her and Lissa smiled at her as Nikki kissed her cheek. Both of them cuddled the baby as Ethan slipped up onto the bed and took Lissa's hand, both watching their daughter as she sat with her aunties and looked at her brother. He kissed softly as they savored their moment of closeness, and she closed her eyes and inhaled his scent. Lissa loved Ethan deeply and she relaxed against his shoulder as his thumb traced her palm. "I love you, and I love our family." Ethan murmured to her, and she sighed happily.

"I think we can call it now? Two babies…it's enough." Lissa said with a giggle, and he chuckled.

"We'll see." Ethan countered, and she kissed his jaw softly.

"I love you so much, baby." Lissa told him, and their eyes met. She saw his love in those blue depths that she loved so much as well as their future, and they both smiled as the little girl giggle filled the room. Their life was complete and she stared at her kids across the room with a content smile as she held his hand tighter.

THE END

Thanks you so very much for following this story and loving it. I hope that you all like the ending as much as I do. It seems like a perfect little family to me and they're happy, and we all wanted that. I love all of you for the adds that I still get, the reviews, the PM's…all of it. You're amazing.